Warm weather forces delay in Great Lakes Invitational

Michigan Tech’s Shane Hanna, left, and Michigan State’s Matt DeBlouw race for the puck during the second period of a Great Lakes Invitational college hockey game Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at Comerica Park in Detroit. (AP Photo/The Detroit News, David Guralnick)

The starting times for today’s Great Lakes Invitational third-place game between Michigan and Michigan State as well as the championship game at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit have been pushed back by approximately one hour due to sunshine impacting the rink and play.

A spokesman for the 2013 Sirius XM Hockeytown Winter Festival said organizers made the decision this morning after determining the bright sunshine and warm temperatures were creating hot spots on the ice that would affect the games.

“Right now you have the glare of the sun on the ice that could impact visibility as well as ice integrity issues,” said Kyle Kujawa of Olympia Entertainment.

Advertisement

Michigan and Michigan State will now take to the ice at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation round while Western Michigan and Michigan Tech will compete for the championship game at 8 p.m.

Kujawa said event organizers feel once the sun begins to set later this afternoon, the issues will be resolved.

As of 1 p.m. today, the temperature was 47 degrees in metropolitan Detroit, according to the National Weather Service.

The Coke Zero Fan Zone outside of Comerica Park will maintain its original hours today, 1 to 10 p.m. The festivities are free for ticket-holders and $5 for those without tickets.

Meanwhile, authorities are also warning people venturing out on area lakes and ponds for ice fishing to use caution because the warmer temperatures are thawing ice conditions.

Officials said people should never consider the ice is safe regardless of weather conditions.

On Thanksgiving, authorities in Shelby Township rescued a 38-year-old man and 11-year-old boy who fell through thin ice on a retention pond.